Spring happenings

A clip of bells concert:

Joseph's homemade covered wagon traveling west on the Oregon Trail

Inside the wagon......I think we may have had an era mix up??

Happy to be on the podium

Weekend in Seattle with mom: State Cup Soccer, Chipotle, and an Izzie--life does not get much better!

A reason for sports

What a cutie!! So proud of her!

Level 4's..tallest one there!

5th for 9 years olds...way to go Annabelle

For the love of the game!!

Another weekend of events....indoor soccer and gymnastics! Annabelle had her first gymnastics meet this weekend and had a wonderful experience.  After a morning of glitter hairdo and no appetite I had a heart to heart with her in the car.  She was overwhelmed with anxiety and was struggling, I took the opportunity to share with her why we do sports- it was a good reminder for me too!  I was able to reflect on many thoughts that Rob and I have had through the years.  My kids are involved in a lot of sports, sometimes too many.  Many people ask me why we do what we do, and how we do what we do????  We have many reasons why- I have NO idea how!!! But...I shared with Annabelle 3 points which we always go back to:

1. God gave us the ability, one of the ways we thank Him and bring glory to Him is by doing the things He created us to do and gave us the ability to do

2.To have fun!! Always!

3. Life lessons- There are so many things that God wants to teach us from what we are involved in.  Sports teach us about diligence, discipline, disappointment, reward, working with others, and so many other things.  These lessons are invaluable.

It doesn't matter about winning, losses have many lessons too, or points....although those things make it fun, we work and play to the best of our abilities and see what God has to teach us through all of it.  I am sure none of this is news to anyone, we all have reasons why our kids are involved, I just thought I would share ours!

Lots of Fun

My special present this year was to go shopping!!! Something that doesn't happen often in our house.  Rob had the kids all day and even took a friends' kids after school so she could go with me (3 boys).  The exciting part was not the shopping.......it was THE SNAKE at home.  With 9 kids the excitement of a snake in the yard proved priceless.  Apparently it was not the fact that there was a snake- it was the fact that our dog tore it to shreds! The kids loved every moment and I have heard several renditions of the event, plus- they saved it for me to see!!!! What a moment for me! The best part was that the "nervous station" still worked after it had it's head bit off, and it still moved. 


And her he is in his last minutes, he didn't know what he had coming! 

Another great part of my birthday was friends coming over, but with lots of families come lots of kids.....What a BLAST:

what a crowd!

Easter Weekend

The highlight of Easter day....after hours of fishing -one fish!! And one very excited boy, the picture just makes us smile.

We had a beautiful day of worship, a relaxing brunch out, and then an afternoon/evening of fishing.  We all know the best part of the day was the one fish caught (which by the way was not caught until the car was packed, ready to go after 3 hours of fishing)! But I must add in the other amazing thing about the day-- we found an owl family and nest!! We are pretty sure they were Great Horned Owls...Mom, Dad, and 3 babies (the babies were over16 inches at least)! Hopefully I will get that pic up next posting.  What a treat- Thank you Lord for your resurrection, family, and your creation!

Boy oh boy does this one know how to melt his mother's heart!!!

oh- he wanted one soooooo bad, maybe next time.

I don't think  there is ever an ugly Easter egg

Writing his letter to the Easter bunny

This year we went all out, in years past there has always been a 6 egg decorating limit.....6 eggs, 4 kids, 2 dozen extra eggs- makes sense right?  Well, we went ahead and boiled 5 dozen eggs!!!!

It was quite a production!

All sorts of different techniques this year...although the natural dyes we made didn't work our so great

Work around the House

Well- along with the 4-5 full time jobs that we currently feel like we have, there have been numerous projects around the house which need some attention.  Due to the latest food changes in MacKenzie's diet, we have packed our cupboards chuck full.  I want to think my husband building me a pantry is simply out of the desires of his heart to please me......but....I believe it is more out of the frustration he is experiencing when he opens various cupboards and anything could happen: stuff tumbling out, things falling on exposed toes, or even surprises as to what is actually in the cupboard!  We need a pantry! First project- a new pantry in the laundry room- it is beautiful (for now).  Next is the long desired garden- which I will probably kill- AGAIN- but we are willing to try once more...this time having it where an automatic sprinkler will help with the job. In order for this to happen the fence needs to be moved, raised beds made, and dirt brought in, and plants ordered.  We have arrived today on the first step, and there will be no ordering of plants until we actually get a bit further (this is for my own protection).

Isn't is wonderful?!

As you can see...Dad has a great supervisor to work for!

Always up for a smile in the midst of work.

Joseph had his own project the other day, he bought his own "pitch back" and put it together all by himself... I was so proud of him

I couldn't resist pictures!

A Great Little Family Devotional

 A sweet friend recently let me borrow this book as I was looking for a new devotional.  I am already so blessed by this book.  The chapters are short and full of practical illustrations.  All of my children walked away with a morsel to take with them for the day. I walked away this week with the idea of "adding color" to all that I do.  There are so many things in my days which seem colorless, but I can make them colorful!!!

Update on the weekend: I have recently started running again, Joseph sweetly rode his bike with me today as an ecouragement!  MacKenzie spent the weekend in Seattle at a Christian youth rally called "Acquire the Fire", she returned energized, yet exhausted.  She has been sleeping for hours.  She also let me know of her plans for mission work this summer..so I am sure there will be more to come on that topic.  Annabelle had 2 soccer games and spent the night at a friends' house.  She came home disappointed that they did not ride the four wheelers......we are so in trouble with that one. Joseph had a soccer game, and he scored the only goal for his team.  He is having the weekend of his life because not only did he have a friend spend the night, but also got invited to go to a movie....he is thrilled since he doesn't seem to get to do much with buddies.  Sammy sufficiently filled my ears with complaints that his life is sooooo unfair.  I think I will reread the book "Sibling Rivalry" soon, my cup runneth over with disputes these days.

Blissful Morning

Annabelle: Mom, you interupted me again!
Mom: Honey, you are talking nonstop right now and no one can get a word in, we have to interupt.
Annabelle: Well- you talk nonstop with your friends and we can't interupt!!!

My favorite part of the morning

 Good news....no juvenile rhuematoid arthritis!  What a relief.  I don't think we realized how nervous we were about these results, when the doctor called on her day off- my heart sunk!  But her news was wonderful.  Of course, we still have no idea what is going on with MacKenzie and the pain she is experiencing in her joints, but hopefully time will tell. So- enjoying my cup o joe and relaxing before the storm of the day.  Two more soccer games today (one last night) and then getting ready for Joseph's delayed birthday party tomorrow.



Joseph is having an Amazing Rcce party tomorrow....updates to come :)



Tis the Season.....

Well- it is soccer season once again for the Hock's...which means busy days, meals in the car, tired bodies, and a very exhausted Mama and Daddy!  This was the first weekend back for everyone and we broke it in with 4 soccer games and a piano recital!  Two goals for Annabelle, 1 goal for Joseph, MacKenzie played for honors recital, and Sammy......well- he went along for the ride and got an ice cream at the end, simple pleasures.


Always thinking...I love this guy





Spectating is his life, someday that will change

 




Creativity is a good thing to pass all of these hours

 



How does she do that??